Eating Healthy: How Your Diet Helps (or Harms) Your Health

Sometimes eating healthy can seem like a challenge. But did you know that your diet has a direct impact on your overall health? And eating healthy is one of the best, and simplest, things you can do to feel better. It can even save you money on future health care costs.

What “Eating Healthy” Really Means?

Once you decide to eat healthy, knowing what foods to choose can be confusing. What does eating healthy mean?

A healthy diet includes a wide assortment of vegetables, whole grains, fruit, nuts and seeds. It can include dairy, fish and other lean meats. But eating healthy also means not eating foods that can harm your health; foods high in:

Sodium

Saturated fat

Added sugars

And that includes almost all:

Fast food

Processed snack foods, such as crackers and chips

Soda pop

Any food containing more sodium milligrams than calories per serving

Still need a little motivation to eat healthy? Here are four great reasons to add nutrient-packed food into your diet:

Increased Productivity

We are what we eat. Just like a car, our brains need top-quality fuel for maximum efficiency. And increased productivity at work can translate into better performance on the job, promotions and even a salary increase.

Pay Less for Life Insurance

Since everyone is required to be covered, health insurance premiums are no longer based solely on health factors. But life insurance is elective, and you might be asked to take a medical exam or hand over medical records. Poor health could mean double the price of life insurance premiums or denial of coverage altogether. By eating healthy, you’ll be putting yourself in a better position when it comes to shopping around for insurance. And if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, eating healthy can mean a shrinking waistline, and shrinking premium costs.

Mood Enhancer

What we eat impacts our brain, including the part of the brain that regulates our mood. And while no single food has been proven a replacement to prescription anti-depressants, keeping our blood sugar stable by eating healthy will help you feel better throughout the day. Foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables have been linked to lowering the risk of depression because of their high vitamin content. Foods such as nuts, salmon and other fatty fishes are rich in omega-3 fats which also contribute to our mental health.

Longer Life

A diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables, in combination with regular exercise, has been shown to extend our lifespan, according to the American Geriatrics Society. While additional studies have reported similar results with the Mediterranean diet, a diet that includes plenty of fruits & vegetables, fish and olive oil.

Eating healthy doesn’t have to be difficult. By starting small, not skipping meals and drinking plenty of water you’ll be taking steps in the right direction; steps toward improved health.

Are you are considering changing your diet? Are you looking for ways to improve your overall health? Contact the health specialists at Southtowns Radiology today, and let their experts help you get the best out of life.